Actual Shots To The Now Digital Trend

Actual shots to the now digital Trend
Technology’s greatest impact is perhaps felt in new cameras that allow cinematographers to shoot in a
higher definition, letting viewers take in more of the amazing work in set design. Technology also drives
entire segments of film now, enabling movies that were not possible before. Here are some examples
where technology has driven film making.
Costs
Film is the preferred medium of old school film makers, but it’s usually too costly for a studio to
authorize. Film carries several disadvantages, that dwarf the authenticity that the film maker is going
for. Aside from the expense, film is impossible to reuse. That means a day of shooting must have
footage the crew can use, or else every resource consumed that day was a waste. The costs of film don’t
end the day of shooting either. Cinematographers who use film must develop it, and then there is the
costly process of editing the film.
Going digital largely means foregoing the large canisters of film that used to be synonymous with film
making. It also means production companies complete their shoot schedules with less waste, keeping
the entire project under or close to budget.
Editing
Post production is another area where digital trumps the usage of film. Adding visual effects to film was
often a precise art, where the effect had to blend seamlessly with what was being shot. This was a
painstaking process that editors no longer go through. Digital effects are created and added to the shot
within the same program or family of programs. This software also allows editors to work on entire
sections of a film, easily piecing scenes together after the post production effects are added in. That
includes audio, which now has a high definition digital file that ensures the audience will hear every
word and action that they see.
The end result is a piece of film that looks cleaner, with effects that blend seamlessly with the movie.
The audience usually can’t tell when CGI has been used, but it’s a powerful tool film makers have
increasingly used to set atmosphere.
Shooting
Shooting in digital is much easier because you can do more in less time. Multiple cameras can run on the
same shot, so you always get the angle you want without having to waste time on retakes. I like
shooting digitally because it makes it easy to shoot multiple takes, and to get multiple angles more
economically. A director’s bread and butter is pace and performance. I love being able to shoot
everything. Even, with the actors’ permission, the rehearsals. You never know what pieces you’ll be able
to use later in editing.
Coupled with the new steady cam equipment that film has taken a liking to, the end result is a more
intimate shot. The audience feels present in the moment because the lens we are allowed to look
through feels authentic. Film makers also spend less time re-shooting the same scene to get the right
angle.
Distribution
The process of distributing film in digital has not quite hit the apex of what it is capable of, but the indie
film maker especially stands to gain. Distribution through YouTube has been the most common form of
marketing for quite some time. Studios have released big-budget trailers, while indie film makers have
sought funding and interested eyes posting content through various YouTube channels. Of course, the
adverse affect is that quality has significantly declined, but that’s more a function of volume. YouTube
users also crowd source what is popular with a thumbs up, helping others to find new and interesting
content without spending too much time digging for it.
Rights to films are already distributed to consumers digitally, but this market has not been fully tapped.
There is much debate as to the future of film consumption, but companies seem willing to distribute
films online. The 2011 film Tower Heist with Ben Stiller was almost released to Comcast customers
alongside the theatrical release, but the idea was scrapped after several theaters threatened not to
show the film in protest. Although digital promises an exciting new world of distribution, the business of
film has yet to catch up with this idea.
Preservation
The preservation of film isn’t something we think about as consumers, but it’s the very reason we still
have re-mastered copies of Ben Hurr and the Star Wars trilogy. Film will crumble and damage over time,
and it’s extremely flammable too. There are simply too many methods for film to outlive its usefulness.
Digital films can be stored on company servers, without taking up too much space. The costs to maintain
this infrastructure are also lower than the costs to store and re-master film.
Digital archives are also easy to backup and restore. Pixar had a now famous incident when creating Toy
Story 2, where one of the animators lost almost the entire film working on it at home thanks to a bad
backup. Aside from this small gaffe, the backup system has allowed production companies access to
earlier versions of a film, as well as a source to store shots used for dailies and extras.
Without technology, it would be nearly impossible for Hollywood to produce the volume of films that it
does. Film might be a nice thought for that vintage feel, but the practicalities of digital have largely put
the film versus digital debate to rest.

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